Friday, October 10, 2014

[5E] Alternate Fighter Archetypes

I did not like the Fighter Archetypes for D&D 5th Edition. When I think of an archetype, my mind does not envision the choices that WOTC created, which was essentially a 4th Edition Warlord and the Eldritch Knight (which was a Prestige Class in previous editions.). I think the Fighting Styles that fighters can choose as part of their class, would have made ideal Archetypes in their own right (i.e. Archer, Defender, Duelist, Two-Handed Fighter, Two-Weapon Fighter.)

I took two Pathfinder Archetypes from the Advanced Players Guide, the Mobile Fighter and the Phalanx Soldier and made a D&D 5th Edition version for each. These I feel are better examples that exemplify types of fighter than what appeared in the Players Handbook. Let me know what you think.

MOBILE FIGHTER

This fighter focuses on speed and
swiftness to move across the battlefield, leaving a trail of
destruction in his wake.

AGILITY

Beginning when you choose this
archetype at 3rd level, you have Advantage when making a
Dexterity saving throw against effects that cause you to become
paralyzed, slowed or restrained.

LEAPING ATTACK

Starting at 7th level, when
you move at least 5 feet prior to attacking, you have Advantage on
attack rolls.

RAPID ATTACK

Starting at 10th level, you
can move up to twice your movement (as if you performed the Dash
action) and can make an attack at any point along that movement.

FLEET FOOTED

Starting at 15th level, your
movement increases by 10 feet. Any checks made to Strength
(Athletics) or Dex (Acrobatics) are at an additional +2 proficiency
bonus.

WHIRLWIND ATTACK

Starting at 20th level, when
you use your Action Surge, you may make an attack action against
every enemy withing your reach that turn. This ability over-rides
your Extra Attack ability. Each enemy within your reach can only be
attacked once.

PHALANX SOLDIER

The phalanx
soldier specializes in defensive tactics, using his shield to guard
himself and allies

STAND FIRM

Beginning when you
choose this archetype at 3rd level, you have Advantage on
saves against Shoves.

PHALANX FIGHTING

At 3rd
level, when you wield a shield, you may use any polearm or spear as a
one-handed weapon.

READY PIKE

Starting at 7th
level, when you ready an action with your polearm or spear to
anticipate a charging attack from an enemy, you can score a critical
hit on a 19-20 against that charging enemy.

DEFT SHIELD

Starting at 10th
level, you become a master of using your shield to protect you. Your
AC improves by an additional +1 when using a shield.

IRRESISTABLE
ADVANCE

Starting at 13th
level, you have Advantage on Shoving an opponent when using your
shield.

SHIELD ALLY

Starting at 15th
level, when you are using your shield, all adjacent allies will
benefit from your shield AC bonus until the start of your next turn.
You cannot move during your turn when using this ability. If any
ally moves away from being adjacent to you, they immediately lose to
AC bonus.

SHIELDED FORTRESS

At 20th
level you can gain Evasion (as per the Rogue ability) to yourself
when using a shield. In lieu of movement during your turn, you can
grant Evasion to all adjacent allies until the beginning of your next
turn.